• British blues rocker Chris Rea, known for “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)” and “Driving Home for Christmas,” died at 74. He released over 20 albums, earned a 1979 Grammy nod, and also competed in the 1993 British Touring Car Championship.

• Snoop Dogg will debut as an NBA analyst January 5, calling the second half of Clippers vs. Warriors alongside Reggie Miller and Terry Gannon. He’s been prepping with film study and team shootarounds.

• Snoop Dogg will also headline the NFL Christmas Day halftime show with HUNTR/X and Lainey Wilson. The Netflix special includes a holiday remix of “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”

• Spotify disabled accounts tied to scraping metadata and artwork for 86 million songs. The leak was linked to a so-called preservation group; Spotify says new safeguards are in place.

• Barry Manilow will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous lung spot. Doctors say it hasn’t spread. January shows are postponed, with a return planned for February.

• Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent announced a $200 limited CD single, “Ride The Serpent,” launching his long-delayed album Judgment Day. He cited piracy concerns for the pricing.

• Lady Gaga will stream Harlequin Live: One Night Only on Christmas Eve, filmed at LA’s Belasco Theatre in September 2024.

• Yngwie Malmsteen slammed former vocalists for using his name and material, stressing they were paid contributors, not creative partners.

• Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” hits a record 21st week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, marking her 100th career week atop the chart.

• Metallica’s James Hetfield shared a gravel-voiced dramatic reading of “A Visit From St. Nicholas” on SiriusXM and Instagram.

Top Albums (Billboard 200)

5. Ultimate Christmas – Bing Crosby

4. Christmas – Michael Bublé

3. KPop Demon Hunters – Soundtrack

2. I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen

1. The Life Of A Showgirl – Taylor Swift

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